Best Time To Go
It depends entirely on your destination as South Africa has been called " a world in
one country".

On the interior ( Highveld) the summers are hot and thundery and the winters bright, dry
and cold with sunshine throughout the year.

At the Cape (western coastal areas) the summer and autumn months ( January to May) are the
best, because of the winter rainfall.

The eastern coastal area (Kwazulu Natal) has hot and humid summers at sea level. The
winters are less humid (and probably the best time to go) with sunshine throughout the
year.

Accommodation
South Africa caters for a wide spectrum of visitors - from 5-star hotels to self-catering
cottages. Guest houses and B&B's have become
increasingly popular with visitors mainly because of lower rates and excellent service.

The Kruger National Park - one of the
world's largest game reserves.
The Cape Peninsula - includes Table Mountain,
the winelands, Cape Town and the famous Cape Point.Sun City - like Las Vegas, but created in the
bush with facilities for sailing, swimming, golfing, gambling and game viewing.
The Garden Route - a stretch of coast
200km.'s long of beaches, forests and mountains.Kwazulu Natal Parks and mountains
- various parks and nature reserves in Zululand, estuary at St. Lucia and the great
Drakensberge (Mountains of the Dragons)

What to Pack
Generally, South Africa's climate allows for a sunny holiday at any time of the year.
However, your dress requirements may vary according to your particular destination.

It you intend spending a lot of time outdoors and definitely in summer, bring a hat for
protection against the rather scorching sun. In the summer, lightweight cotton clothing is
advised because daytime temperatures generally hover around 25-30 degrees Celsius.

For the brief period of January until Mid-March, temperatures sometimes reach 35 degrees.
During this period, the nights might be just as hot. In the Cape, with its Mediterranean
climate, there is no rain to cool down the air.You may or you may not want to bring a
costume to swim in. There are a few topless and nude beaches in South Africa, but
generally nudity is still frowned upon.

Further inland there is often an afternoon or evening thunderstorm. In fact, the rain may
become quite heavy, so a raincoat is advisable. In the summer evenings, the heat usually
lessens and only a light jacket is required.

In the winter months (May to October) the sun shines almost every day. Daytime
temperatures hover around 17 to 22 degrees celsius. The evenings can get very cold.
Temperatures have been known to plummet to below zero in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

Early morning and late afternoon temperatures are rather chilly too. Still, South Africa
is not a country where firs are worn. Generally, on most sunny winter days, trousers and a
jersey are all that you may require. In the Mediterranean stretch along the south-western
Cape, winters are very wet.

Because winter temperatures do not justify having Central Heating in buildings and homes,
Europeans tourists might find the winters harsher than South Africans do. We have become
accustomed to the cold around us and simply put on more layers if necessary. Only in the
last couple of years have some houses installed underfloor heating. In Johannesburg
sometimes during winter, and in the Cape in the afternoon a rather chilly wind blows, so
bring some wind-proof clothing along.